I'll leave the pre-fab letter alone,and try a new approach. I'm a newbie, both mountain and road. I have become completely addicted to cycling, which after almost 30 years of smoking and other forms of self-abuse, this addiction is a GOOD thing.

Here's the call: I am trying to get involved in all aspects and at all levels of cycling. I have volunteered to ride the Tour Du Cure for the American Diabetes Association, and any sponsorship will be greatly appreciated. Equally, any training advise will be immensely helpful. To date, I have riden as much as 30 miles. This event is a century on day 1 followed by 75 miler on day 2. Finally, all moral support will be cherished.

The best advice I can give you: when the pedal comes up, push it down again.

That means, just keep riding. The muscles get stronger. Your miles grow. You find yourself gravitating to your favorite part of the sport. Go with it.

But don't make the mistake that some new riders do by looking for a short cut to success.

Some good advice , mate. To which I'll add.......

Cycling is about you and what you can do along with the joy cycling can bring on a very
personal level. Today you ride 30 miles, tommorow......??? The only vision that counts is
your's. Ride on,mate. Ride on.........

Thanks...the sport has quickly become a passion, and I'm learning that, unlike running, there seems to be a different feeling of going deep and getting the most out of yourself on the bike. the pain of gain is invirorating...I think that's a big part of the addiction for me.

thanks...the vision thing is so true. I was joking with my wife that a couple of months ago the 7 miles to and from work seemed llloonngg. no, i look at my ride map, and 20 seems short, and time was the only thing that kept from from doing 50 instead of thirty yesterday.